If you are looking forward to a straighter smile with the help of your SureSmile aligners, you’ll need to keep your treatment on track while traveling. When preparing for any kind of trip, knowing what to do to avoid a delay is essential. This is why you are encouraged to keep reading to discover 3 helpful tips you can follow, whether you’re preparing to go by car, plane, or train.
Don’t Deviate From Your Routine
It’s easy to make excuses when traveling. Whether it’s your diet, your sleep habits, or your oral hygiene routine, sticking to these routines is essential, especially if you want to avoid a delay in your SureSmile treatment.
Wearing your trays 20-22 hours a day is necessary, and abiding by your morning and nighttime oral hygiene schedule will ensure your teeth, gums, and aligners stay healthy. While you’re also encouraged to rinse out your trays when taking them out to eat, cleaning them thoroughly twice a day and allowing them to soak will minimize the risk of bacterial accumulation.
Pack All the Necessary Oral Hygiene Essentials
When thinking about all the other things you must pack for your trip, make sure to set aside a small bag for your oral hygiene essentials. It can include:
- A travel-size toothbrush and toothpaste
- Dental floss
- An extra set of aligners (or more, depending on how long you will be gone)
- Orthodontic wax
- A protective case
- Over-the-counter pain reliever
- Mouthwash
Having these on hand will make it easier to take proper care of your smile and braces while traveling.
Ask About Local Water
Your mouth and aligners need to stay clean while you are on your trip, which means you will be required to use water. Depending on where you are traveling to, the local water may not be safe to use or drink. If this is the case, you will need to make sure you are using bottled water.
Disregarding this potential health hazard can cause you to get sick, so instead of spending your break lying in bed trying to recover from illness, ask about whether it’s safe to consume.
Traveling with SureSmile aligners doesn’t have to be challenging. By following these tips and asking your dentist about additional suggestions to avoid a delay, you can keep your teeth on track.
About the Author
Dr. Spenser Cammack earned his dental degree at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. As a dependable dentist in Lacey, he and his team provide SureSmile aligners to those who prefer to avoid metal braces when straightening their teeth. If you are preparing to travel and need help to ensure your teeth continue to move in the right direction while you’re gone, visit our website or call (360) 459-4420 to speak to a member of our team.